a vida de Robb MacDaniel cambia abruptamente cuando sus padres mueren en un accidente automovilístico. Estaba a punto de casarse con su novia de la secundaria y comenzar una carrera como maestro en un pequeño pueblo. Pero ahora tiene el dinero del seguro y puede cumplir su sueño de toda la vida de convertirse en abogado. Entonces se va a la "ciudad capital" y promete casarse con su novia cuando termine la escuela dentro de tres años.

Una cosa lleva a la otra, y Robb termina abandonando a su prometida en favor de una nueva mujer. Se casan, son felices por un tiempo y luego Robb comienza su descenso gradual hacia la codicia y la traición. Hay un poco más en la trama, pero no mucho. De vez en cuando, la trama se centra en la niña que Robb dejó atrás, que permanece amargada a lo largo de los años. Seguía pensando que algún tipo de punto se haría mostrando a esta otra mujer, pero sus apariciones ocasionales no tienen ningún propósito aparente. ( )

I'm not usually a big Belva Plain fan, and this book reminded me why. The storyline is interesting but drags. But she has so many devoted readers -- I'm sure this book will be a hit with them. ( )

Robb McDaniel was living the very definition of an idyllic life: the type of privileged and charmed existence of which so many were truly envious. He was an idealistic young teacher, full of vibrant hopes and dreams and determined to shape the young minds of the future in the best way possible. He was blissfully happy to be engaged to his high school sweetheart, and together, this charmed couple were planning for the future. Yes, Robb McDaniel was truly blessed and thankful for everything he had in life: until he wanted something more.

Upon receiving a sudden windfall, money that is tragically earned, Robb is offered the chance to live a different sort of life. He is offered the opportunity of going to law school and of pursuing a brilliant career. Yet nothing in Robb McDaniel's life could possibly have prepared him for the price of a dream come true.

A job with a prestigious law firm. Marriage to the boss' daughter. A wonderful family. A splendid home. In fact, Robb had everything that he could possibly want, and more besides. All the offers and prominence he just couldn't refuse. Truly, Robb McDaniel was living a life of great success, greater hunger, greatest shame...

In her latest novel, best-selling author Belva Plain creates a riveting and compelling portrait of a man who had everything - and of the women who loved him. With a profound insight, she explores the power of temptation, betrayal, and greed - and the ultimately redeeming gift of love. This is a story of great complexity and heart-aching poignancy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. In my opinion, Belva Plain was a terrific author, and she really did a tremendous job of capturing the various nuances and complexities of her characters' relationships and weaving them all into an emotional and intriguing story. I've always enjoyed reading books about families and their sometimes troubled and dysfunctional relationships. I would give this book a definite A+! ( )

People on Amazon weren't crazy about this, but I thought it flew by. Farm-bred Robb planned to marry his childhood sweetheart and settle down to an idyllic country life with perfect kids... and what happened was pretty much the opposite. ( )

A powerful and gripping novel about a man and his choices and how his life slipped down and the cost of various lies that had been told. Fine characterizations and an increasingly complex mix of people and motives. ( )